20" Winter Tires Recommended? Any Experience??

...why should discussing be a wast of time? It´s a forum - or?

I´m not familiar with a lot of those things because i´m ordering my first X5 in the next days and like to make sure that i think about everything! What i think is not bad....

Thanks for your time

@Marlbro: My guess is you have an "indirect" TPMS system which uses the ABS sensors instead of the RDC sensors. (See my post #36 above). Which would lead me to believe that BMW's sold in the USA and Canada have different requirements than those sold elsewhere. (Just like you are not burdened with our DEF urea tanks).

I think the requirement for the US-style TPMS sensors stems from the series of fatalities involving Ford Explorer SUV's riding on under-inflated tires. Either (1.) you don't have as many morons driving on under-inflated tires in Europe, or (2.) you don't have as many ambulance chasing attorneys, or (3.) you don't have government bodies intent on saving their citizens from the consequences of their own stupidity.

Originally Posted by Marlbro

My Valve stems are just plain rubber, i haven't had the tyres pulled yet so I can not personally confirm - just going on what my Tech told me !!!

I bet it is a US market requirement. The FMVSS (federal motor vehicle safety standards) now do require some kind of tire pressure monitoring (result of the Ford Explorer rollover+fire debacle) - I know Subaru used to use the ABS sensors (pre 07 ish?) like on your X5 but have all switched to internal wheel mounted sensors (in the US).

Funny enough, I used to categorize tire sensors as evidence of "living in a nanny state" but every time we've had an alert, I wouldn't have noticed until we were down the road, and it definitely has alerted us to issues very quickly. Maybe I'm just getting old.

By the way, you can get aftermarket TPMS systems like the Hella TC-400, which monitors up to 7 tires and can show both temperature and pressure for each tire.

Originally Posted by quackbury

BTW you should realize that the fellow who gave you the answer you wanted to hear has a factory spare tire in his car.

Good point - I also ordered the optional $150 spare on the X5 due for delivery in November.

Seriously...like wtf???

So are some of you still contending that you need to buy a second set of TPMS sensors for a new set of wheels?

I thought that it was already verified by people that have changed wheels....that a new set of sensors IS NOT required as the current ones are hub mounted.

For those of you that have rushed out to buy new sensors....I've got some oceanfront real estate that I'll sell you here in AB...lol.

The jury is still out on this. For vehicles destined for Europe, it appears the sensors are on the hub assemble. For vehicles destined for the U.S. it appears that the sensors are in the wheels. My wife has a 2011 X5 50i with the 20" wheels and the dealer told me the sensors are definitely in the wheels. Just by looking at the type of valve stems on her X5 I would tend to agree. They are iedntical to the ones on my 2009 335i which definitely has the sensors in the wheels. I'm actually going to the dealer today and know one of the guys in the shop so I will confirm. I don't think anyone has yet to actually 100% confirm this by having the tires removed from the wheels and seeing with their own eyes.

Originally Posted by Cdnrockies

Seriously...like wtf???

So are some of you still contending that you need to buy a second set of TPMS sensors for a new set of wheels?

I thought that it was already verified by people that have changed wheels....that a new set of sensors IS NOT required as the current ones are hub mounted.

For those of you that have rushed out to buy new sensors....I've got some oceanfront real estate that I'll sell you here in AB...lol.

In X5's delivered to Europe (and apparently Canada), the TPMS is an "indirect" system which uses hub-mounted sensors in conjunction with the vehicle's ABS system to monitor rotational speed of each wheel.

In X5's delivered to the USA since 9/07, the TPMS is a "direct" system that uses wheel mounted sensors to actually read the pressure inside each tire, rather than "guesstimating" if a tire is low because it is rotating at a different speed than the other wheel on the same axle.

There are many differences between BMW's built for Canada vs. those built for the USA.

If anyone is interested, the US standard is FMVSS 138, and it does not specific direct (pressure sensor) or indirect (ABS sensor), however most manufacturers have chosen direct. This article is about Audi choosing to use "2nd gen" software and ABS sensors. (which seems odd to me, without about 5 minutes of thought it could have been the 1st gen algorithm....)

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/m.../ai_n31880786/

Originally Posted by quackbury

@Marlbro: My guess is you have an "indirect" TPMS system which uses the ABS sensors instead of the RDC sensors. (See my post #36 above). Which would lead me to believe that BMW's sold in the USA and Canada have different requirements than those sold elsewhere. (Just like you are not burdened with our DEF urea tanks).

I think the requirement for the US-style TPMS sensors stems from the series of fatalities involving Ford Explorer SUV's riding on under-inflated tires. Either (1.) you don't have as many morons driving on under-inflated tires in Europe, or (2.) you don't have as many ambulance chasing attorneys, or (3.) you don't have government bodies intent on saving their citizens from the consequences of their own stupidity.

Tick, tick, tick, to the last three....

Originally Posted by quackbury

In X5's delivered to Europe (and apparently Canada), the TPMS is an "indirect" system which uses hub-mounted sensors in conjunction with the vehicle's ABS system to monitor rotational speed of each wheel.

In X5's delivered to the USA since 9/07, the TPMS is a "direct" system that uses wheel mounted sensors to actually read the pressure inside each tire, rather than "guesstimating" if a tire is low because it is rotating at a different speed than the other wheel on the same axle.

There are many differences between BMW's built for Canada vs. those built for the USA.

Interesting that there would be such silly differences between the two. Doesn't make much sense to me, but I'll take your word for it.

Seems like a pure cash grab to require new TPMS sensors. I was quite happy when I was informed that I never had to deal with or worry about changing them depending on whatever wheel I wanted to run.

For the winter I ordered a complete BMW winter wheel and tire package for my 2011 X5 X35i M-Sport Package with 20" M wheels. This package comes with Continental's 4x4 WinterContact performance winter tires; 255/50 R19s all around. The BMW wheel is Style 298M which BMW lists as a M Style winter wheel. These come complete mounted and balanced and with the BMW Tire Pressure monitors installed. There is a different part # for the front vs. the rear as the wheel offset is different.

I haven't received them yet and therefore verified fitment and looks. They are expected to clear customs the coming week and should arrive at my dealer the end of next week or the following week.

BMW always has winter tire packages for all its vehicles available as complete tire packages on BMW wheels.

Link to picture of the style 298M wheel on ebay:http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BMW-X...Q5fAccessories

Originally Posted by MJM

For the winter I ordered a complete BMW winter wheel and tire package for my 2011 X5 X35i M-Sport Package with 20" M wheels. This package comes with Continental's 4x4 WinterContact performance winter tires; 255/50 R19s all around. The BMW wheel is Style 298M which BMW lists as a M Style winter wheel. These come complete mounted and balanced and with the BMW Tire Pressure monitors installed. There is a different part # for the front vs. the rear as the wheel offset is different.

I haven't received them yet and therefore verified fitment and looks. They are expected to clear customs the coming week and should arrive at my dealer the end of next week or the following week.

BMW always has winter tire packages for all its vehicles available as complete tire packages on BMW wheels.

could you post pix of your 35i M Sports? thanks!

Hey good to hear from an Aspenite on the board. I am not one exactly but Have been spending about 30 days a year out there since 1990 and have a place out there. I dove my E53 with Pirelli Scorpion Snow/ice and had snow in the pass and in Glenwood springs up to aspen. I drove 65 the entire time with out even the slightest hint of slip and slide. I just bought a 2011 X5 50 with 336's and I am putting a set of 211 OEM's (19" used on Ebay for $900 in brand new condition) with the Pirelli's Scorpions for this winter.

Originally Posted by MRV99

I just bought a 2011 X5 50 with 336's and I am putting a set of 211 OEM's (19" used on Ebay for $900 in brand new condition) with the Pirelli's Scorpions for this winter.

How do you tihnk they'll look with the big rear flares on the 50i?

May look a bit off since the flares will be larger but for winter, less slush and muck getting tossed up on the side of the car. I am not that worried of the look for the time I will have the 211's on. I am much more concerned about cold weather performance than looks

Can you show a pic of your X5 with the 211's ?

I found some 19" 257's that are X6 wheels but will fit the X5 e70 and like the looks better than the 211's. Wondering if there'd be any issues with getting these and putting some snows on them for winter. Any opinions ? Thanks.

Originally Posted by tdog47

I found some 19" 257's that are X6 wheels but will fit the X5 e70 and like the looks better than the 211's. Wondering if there'd be any issues with getting these and putting some snows on them for winter. Any opinions ? Thanks.

I'm putting a set of 19" Style #334 wheels (from the X5 Premium) on my X6 for the winter. Personally, I think they're the best 19" OEM wheels available for the X5 and X6.

Originally Posted by tdog47

Can you show a pic of your X5 with the 211's ?

I found some 19" 257's that are X6 wheels but will fit the X5 e70 and like the looks better than the 211's. Wondering if there'd be any issues with getting these and putting some snows on them for winter. Any opinions ? Thanks.

I would like to help you with this but It is still summer time and my winters are not on the car. Those will not be installed till November.

Where did you get the 334's ?

MJM-

Sent you a PM, interested in how your 298M use on X5 35i w/ M-sport went.

Thanks!

I ended up with the 19" 211's and Blizzak's. Had the X5 up in Winter Park, CO last week and it handled absolutely great in icy conditions over Berthoud Pass. I gunned it a few times out of some of the switchbacks and couldn't get the rear end to slide out on me. More than happy with this setup aside from the rear end looking a bit wimpy Oh well, it's safer for sure and my 20" 214's will go back on in April.

Attached a pic from my iPhone which is not real good quality but shows what they look like.

Well, thanks to everyone for their response and input here....quick update to maybe cap the thread I started in September....

After much consideration, I ended up sticking with the 20" 214's and installed a staggered OEM set of run flat Pirelli Scorpion Snow and Ice. After a bunch of great storms in December, and all sorts of conditions from warm to extremely cold (-15), dry to un-plowed 5-6 inches, I have had no complaints. More confident in the X5 than any car I've ever had - and this is my first with such large wheels. Now if only the glazed brakes would stop squeeling and if my heated steering wheel would work more often, I'd say I had no complaints at all! The 4WD system of the car coupled with the Pirelli's is a great match.

Originally Posted by MJM

For the winter I ordered a complete BMW winter wheel and tire package for my 2011 X5 X35i M-Sport Package with 20" M wheels. This package comes with Continental's 4x4 WinterContact performance winter tires; 255/50 R19s all around. The BMW wheel is Style 298M which BMW lists as a M Style winter wheel. These come complete mounted and balanced and with the BMW Tire Pressure monitors installed. There is a different part # for the front vs. the rear as the wheel offset is different.

I haven't received them yet and therefore verified fitment and looks. They are expected to clear customs the coming week and should arrive at my dealer the end of next week or the following week.

BMW always has winter tire packages for all its vehicles available as complete tire packages on BMW wheels.

Link to picture of the style 298M wheel on ebay:http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BMW-X...Q5fAccessories

I want to order the 298m winter package for my ordered X5 50i WITH M-SPORT PACKAGE 20" 333M WHEEL....the parts guy at BMW can't tell me if these will work (off-set, bore???)

Did this work for you????

Originally Posted by ANZAC_1915

How do you tihnk they'll look with the big rear flares on the 50i?

If you had the 20 x 11 rear wheels and the dedicated set of winter wheels are 19 x 9 considering that if front & back are same offset- then they would be retracted by 36mm or roughly 1.42 inches-

Originally Posted by zgaspen

Well, thanks to everyone for their response and input here....quick update to maybe cap the thread I started in September....

After much consideration, I ended up sticking with the 20" 214's and installed a staggered OEM set of run flat Pirelli Scorpion Snow and Ice. After a bunch of great storms in December, and all sorts of conditions from warm to extremely cold (-15), dry to un-plowed 5-6 inches, I have had no complaints. More confident in the X5 than any car I've ever had - and this is my first with such large wheels. Now if only the glazed brakes would stop squeeling and if my heated steering wheel would work more often, I'd say I had no complaints at all! The 4WD system of the car coupled with the Pirelli's is a great match.

That is good news- being that you are in snow country- with multitude of steep grades, declining radius turns, graded ice ect- I am surprised to learn that the Pirellis get the job done with such good satisfaction. But I dont think they offer the 315 for the rears right? So I wonder how the 275 fits on the the 11" rear wheel- probably is functional but doesnt look too good-
I was on the phone with tire-rack last week trying to buy a set of the Conti's and they phone rep said the 20" wheels were useless - too wide in the snow and that they would behave like a snowboard- as he was trying to sell me a complete set of 18" winter wheels with a tire package- I learned with my last purchase from TR that the buyer needs to discern what the info they give you- have your research done beforehand- know exactly what you want to buy and proceed with out their sales pitch. Thankfully some well posted feedback on this forum- the learning curve is an easier slope climb-